| Buying home and business security systems is like | | | | check to see that all is well. As the prices of |
| buying an insurance policy. It provides peace of | | | | network cameras come down they're being used |
| mind and just occasionally we're really glad we | | | | for more applications around the home such as |
| took out that insurance! So it was comforting to | | | | for watching over babies. Some of the network |
| see a video released by Nottinghamshire, UK | | | | cameras have a microphone so parents can |
| police that showed very clearly a burglar climbing | | | | listen-in and see their babies in the dark using the |
| through a window into a student's room and | | | | camera's night-vision. There are also some |
| climbing back out with a laptop PC. With evidence | | | | network cameras that have built-in SD card |
| like that, it will not be long before that thief is | | | | storage which means motion activated video can |
| tracked down and prosecuted. We know CCTV | | | | be stored in the camera if there is not internet |
| can be really effective in identifying and tracking | | | | connection. |
| down burglars, but traditional CCTV is simply too | | | | If video of the area to be monitored is not |
| expensive for most of us and there is seldom | | | | required, then there now GSM/MMS connected |
| any real-time alerting capability. We could have a | | | | alarm cameras available on the market. These |
| monitoring centre watch the video 24x7 for us, | | | | devices have built in mobile network modules and |
| but that's even more additional expense. | | | | communicate with users over mobile phone |
| There are now low-cost alternatives to traditional | | | | networks. Many also have built-in PIR heat/motion |
| CCTV on the market that are more practical and | | | | detectors and infrared so can take pictures day |
| flexible. They enable real-time monitoring with | | | | or night when an alarm condition is triggered and |
| personal alerts and cost a lot less than a traditional | | | | send SMS text messages and MMS pictures |
| CCTV or monitored alarm system. This new | | | | directly to a user's mobile phone. The user can |
| category of 'connected security' alarm devices | | | | remotely manage and arm/disarm the alarm |
| alert owners immediately to the break-in by a | | | | camera simply by sending it control text |
| text message or email sent directly to a mobile | | | | messages from their mobile phone. |
| phone. Some also have built-in motion detection | | | | Referring back to the student room burglary |
| and night vision so can send pictures and record | | | | mentioned above, it would have been prohibitively |
| video as soon as their motion detectors are | | | | expensive to put CCTV in every student room. |
| activated, day or night. | | | | However, the new internet and mobile network |
| Connected Security with visual monitoring | | | | connected security devices are much cheaper |
| capability and recording is available mainly in two | | | | than traditional CCTV systems. So it's now |
| forms: 1) Internet connected devices for video or | | | | possible for students and others who can't afford |
| 2) GSM/MMS mobile network connected devices | | | | CCTV to get some video monitoring protection |
| for pictures. | | | | for their room, home or office. If there is an |
| Internet connected devices work well for | | | | intrusion or attempted burglary, they'll be notified |
| monitoring and protecting an area where there is | | | | immediately and likely have video and a picture of |
| a wireless broadband connection available. IP video | | | | the person breaking in! This is a great advance for |
| network cameras are now very cost-effective | | | | consumers and something new for burglars to be |
| and can connect to broadband routers, either with | | | | seriously concerned about. Most of these |
| an ethernet cable or using WiFi. Most network | | | | connected-security devices can be programmed |
| cameras have built-in web servers which means | | | | to call, text or email multiple people such as |
| that they do not need to be connected to a | | | | friends, relatives or neighbours who may be close |
| switched on PC before you can use them as is | | | | by the monitored room or property. They'll be |
| the case with webcams. Network cameras | | | | able to see if there's a problem long before a |
| connect directly to cable or DSL broadband | | | | security guard from an alarm monitoring company |
| routers or modems. And because they're | | | | arrives at the scene. |
| connected to the internet, users can see pictures | | | | So good news for consumers and bad news for |
| from the camera at any time by simply entering | | | | burglars as more of these internet and mobile |
| the password protected IP address/URL of the | | | | connected security devices come to the market. |
| network camera into a browser of any internet | | | | Protecting what is important is now so much |
| connected PC or a suitable mobile phone. So | | | | easier and cheaper than it has ever been before. |
| wherever the camera owner may be, they can | | | | |